Grabbing my high-end duds, I dressed while Anna put her outfit back on the rack and resumed scanning her wardrobe. When I was done, I studied myself in the mirror. Damn, I was hot.

After giving myself double shooter guns in the mirror, I headed to the bedroom. Onnika was in a contraption that let her sit up, bounce, gnaw on things, and turn around. I wished they made the toy in adult size…and with room for two. I could have a lot of fun in something like that.

I looked to the closet, but Anna was still searching for something to make her look even more incredible than she already did; she’d be looking for a long time, if that was really her criteria. How do you beat perfection?

Kneeling in front of Onnika, I jiggled a toy near her face; the bell on it made a tinkling sound that she seemed to like. She cooed, laughed, and tried to wrap a grubby hand around it. Every day she looked more and more like her mother. She was going to be a knockout when she got older. Fuck. I was going to have to kick so many teenage assholes’ asses. A few adults too. My job with these girls would never be over.

I ran a finger over her forehead; her skin was so soft, it boggled my mind that anything could be that silky. It made me want to pick her up and hold her, which made me think, again, that maybe Anna had a point and we should sit this one out.

“Gibby picking on you, Onnie? You probably don’t even know what that means yet. Well, one day you’ll be old enough that you can take her. You take ’em all, Onnie. Don’t let anybody hold you back, not even family.” A stupid lump blocked my airway and I had to swallow. God, I’d been hanging around women too long.

Onnika smiled and laughed as I kissed her cheek. “You be good for Chelsey, okay?” I told her, standing up. She blew a raspberry at me. I had no idea if that meant Will do or Fuck you. Either way was fine with me.

Turning around, I made my way to the living room to find my eldest daughter. She was standing in the center of the room with Carl/Alfred, trying to get him to play horsey. Alfred was just standing there, looking dignified and aloof, and I instantly knew what Anna meant about him not being a good babysitter. Alfred would do anything we asked him to, but if it was a task he thought was below him, you’d know it by the perturbed twist of his lip and the disdainful way he only used his thumb and forefinger to pick things up.

Gibson was holding a jump rope out to him and saying, “Horsey!”

Alfred, trying to remain professional, told her, “I have no idea what you’re saying, Miss Hancock, but if you’d like to jump over your rope, I’ll gladly walk out to the patio with you.”

Undeterred, Gibson lifted the rope higher. “Ride, horsey.” Her tone of voice said something akin to Do what I said right now, damn it! My girl did not like being told no.

Slapping Alfred on the back, I said, “She wants a ride, A-Man,” then I plopped down on my hands and legs and let out a long neigh, complete with a snort and headshake. Gibson giggled at my display, then scrambled onto my back. I helped her loop the rope under my armpits and around my chest. The first time we’d played this game, I’d put the “rein” in my mouth. Big mistake.

Flicking the reins, Gibson shouted, “Yaw!”

I reared up a little, then obligingly took her for a stroll around the room. When we were finished, I plopped her onto the couch. She fell into hysterics and immediately asked for another turn. Squatting at the couch so we were eye to eye, I held up a finger. “In a minute. First, we need to have a chat, little lady. Why are you picking on Onnika?”

She only gave me a blank look, so I tried a different approach. “Do you like your sister?”

That got me a pout. “She’s mean.”

“Mean? How is she mean? All she does is sleep and shit. Errr, poop.” I looked around, but Alfred had left and Anna was still getting ready. Good.

Gibson only frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. I wasn’t sure if she was getting me or not, and I really didn’t know how to get a toddler to tell me what they were feeling, and I kind of didn’t want to. That whole emotional crap…it just made me uncomfortable. Anna should really be handling this.

“I’m sure she’s not trying to be mean, honey,” I reassured her. There. Parenting done for the night.

“She not share,” she stated, unmoved by my encouragement.

Gibson was usually the one stealing crap from Onnika, so I had no idea what she was talking about. “Share what? A toy? Bring it here and show me.”

I thought for sure she’d bring me her favorite doll or something, but she didn’t. She stuck her finger in my chest, and just like that…I got it. She was jealous. “Oh…well…” Damn it, I really wish Anna was the one doing this. “That’s not really Onnika’s fault, she’s just little and she needs more one-on-one care, but that doesn’t mean we care about you less. We don’t. You’re our firstborn, and Mommy and Daddy love you to Pluto and back, ’cause that’s the farthest planet…or moon, rock, whatever the hell they’re calling it now.”

Gibson tilted her head, and I knew I’d lost her. Touching my finger to her cheek, I made myself say, “We love you as much as we love Onnika, and you never need to worry about that. There is always enough to go around when it comes to family. Okay?”

She nodded and stretched her arms out for a hug. As I embraced her, I noticed Anna standing on the other side of the room, watching us in a tight blue dress that hugged her curves. She was smiling, so I figured I had done an okay job. Good. I did not want to have to be all mushy-gushy again anytime soon.